12 DAYS

Screening room

Status: Completed

Director(s): Raymond Depardon

Short synopsis : A new documentary by legendary filmmaker-photographer Raymond Depardon – where justice and psychiatry meet.

Long synopsis : Every year in France, 92,000 people are placed under psychiatric care without their consent.
By law, the hospital has 12 days to bring each patient before a judge. Based on medical records and a doctor’s recommendations, a crucial decision has to be made – will the patient stay or leave? 12 DAYS after which lives can change forever. Granted access to these hearings for the first time, celebrated filmmaker/photographer Raymond Depardon captures these extraordinary encounters between justice and psychiatry. Astonishing, enlightening – a film that gives a voice to those who have previously been voiceless.